Illegal immigrants found in van stopped for speeding

Published 5:30 am, Friday, June 24, 2011

More than a dozen illegal immigrants, including four children, were discovered in a van that was stopped for speeding Thursday night on U.S. 59 in Humble.

Officers stopped the van on the Eastex Freeway northbound near Townsen about 8 p.m., according to the Humble Police Department.

Police said officers contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement after they interviewed the people inside.

ICE officials said 17 people, including four juveniles, were in the van. Fifteen of the people — 13 males and two females — have been determined to be in the country illegally, said Greg Palmore, an ICE spokesman.

The people are being held at an ICE detention center. ICE is investigating.